"Wow wow" The loud cry of the baby reached everyone's ears.
Madam Hong sat down heavily on the ground. "It's born, it's born! Is it born?"
Her husbands helped her up, all smiling happily. "Yes, it's born!"
Jax finally breathed a sigh of relief, and Yiying was so happy she jumped up.
Hong's younger sister, Mistress Su, could not wait and rushed inside.
"Young master, why did you come in?" The midwife frowned.
"I came to see my wife and the baby." Su Zhengjun, in his twenties, was full of excitement and joy. He quickly went to Hong's sister, held her hand, and wiped the sweat from her face with his sleeve. He said softly, "Wife, you have suffered."
Hong's sister shook her head and looked at the baby in the midwife's arms.
The midwife moved quickly, already having washed the baby and wrapped it in a red festive swaddle.
"Congratulations to both of you. It's a fat girl, I estimate she weighs about six jin."
Su Zhengjun and Hong's sister smiled at each other.
"I want to see the baby," Hong's sister said softly, her voice hoarse.
Su Zhengjun clumsily took the baby from the midwife and bent down so Hong's sister could see more clearly.
"Look, the baby's eyes are like yours." He smiled.
The couple stared at the baby, never getting tired of looking.
Sanruwi sat behind the family. The family was so absorbed they ignored the outside noise and did not notice Sanruwi's curious gaze.
Hong's sister was never beautiful, and now she looked worse, but Su Zhengjun's gaze was full of tenderness. Sanruwi, also a man, realized this man truly loved the woman. He thought this man had poor taste but also felt a strange mix of envy and jealousy. Having a loving wife who gave birth to your child was a great blessing.
Could he ever have such luck?
Sanruwi's eyes turned to Minnie, who was busy nearby.
The midwife walked to Su Zhengjun and smiled. "Everyone outside is waiting to see the baby. Young master Su, there are still things to clean up here. You've seen your wife, why not wait outside?"
The midwife would hold the baby outside to receive gifts. This was important. Su Zhengjun knew the rules and wanted to reward the midwife. Seeing his wife safe, he relaxed and told Hong's sister to rest well, then left with the midwife.
Laughter came from outside, but Minnie did not relax. The placenta had not come out yet. Hong's sister had weak contractions before, and now heavy bleeding was likely.
The midwife was experienced, and soon the placenta came out smoothly. Minnie checked it and confirmed it was intact, feeling relieved. Since the placenta was out, the wound had to be stitched.
Minnie took a needle of suitable size, heated it in the candle flame, and bent it into a curve. The thread had been soaked in strong alcohol to sterilize it. The preparations were ready, but there was no anesthetic for the stitches. She asked Sanruwi for advice.
"Teacher Sanruwi, is there medicine to stop the pain?"
Sanruwi looked at her a moment and took a bottle from the medicine box. He poured out a pill.
"Dissolve it in water and apply it to the wound."
Minnie rinsed Hong's sister's wound with alcohol, then applied the medicine. She tested by pricking the wound with the needle. Hong's sister said it did not hurt, only tingled.
Sanruwi was impressive! Minnie praised silently, and quickly stitched the wound. She was glad she had not cut the wound too long earlier.
The midwife watched curiously and asked, "Miss, if you are going to stitch, why cut it open before?"
"If not cut, it will tear. A tear is irregular and large, and harder to heal."
The midwife nodded and said, "I learned something today."
Minnie smiled shyly. She only used others' wisdom and might not have more experience.
The midwife whispered, "Miss, everything is fine except for the bleeding."
Minnie looked at the cotton pad under Hong's sister, just changed by the midwife, now soaked again. The care here was good. They placed soft, absorbent cotton pads under the mother for easy changing.
The bleeding was not severe but still quite a lot.
Minnie explained the situation to Sanruwi. Sanruwi took Hong's sister's pulse and wrote a prescription.
"Teacher Sanruwi, can you add medicine to prevent fever after birth?" Minnie explained, "She was under strain too long, and disinfection was not perfect. I worry about fever."
Sanruwi thought for a moment and changed the prescription.
Minnie hurried to send someone to prepare the medicine and asked Madam Hong to bring sugar water, saline, and food. Some blood loss had to be compensated.
After finishing, Minnie started massaging the uterus, hoping to help it contract and reduce bleeding.
"Minnie, try acupuncture." Sanruwi said suddenly, seeing her busy.
"Acupuncture?"
Minnie followed Sanruwi's instructions and inserted silver needles for Hong's sister. Sanruwi took out a moxa stick and said, "Medicine sometimes does not reach, but needles can. Moxibustion is often used."
"Burning mugwort? I've heard of that."
"Since it is urgent, use every method possible." Sanruwi said.
Minnie nodded. Anything that could reduce bleeding was worth trying. If it failed, gauze packing was the last option, but infection risk was too high.
Sanruwi lit the moxa stick and handed it to Minnie. "Do as I say."
By night, Hong's sister's condition was stable. Minnie and Sanruwi had only eaten some snacks. The two midwives enjoyed a good meal after finishing their work. They were locals and had stayed long outside, so Madam Hong sent a carriage to take them home.
Jax and Yiying also left. Since Sister Hong was safe, they felt relieved.
That night, Minnie and Sanruwi did not return to the Weiwu Escort Agency. They stayed at the Hong family's house because it was late and Sister Hong was not completely out of danger yet. They worried something else might happen.
Madam Hong prepared a good meal. She wanted to invite her lord and Su Gongzi to accompany and treat Sanruwi and Minnie well.
Shuran said Sanruwi refused. They only wanted the food sent to the room. Madam Hong had no choice but to follow their wishes.
Sanruwi was taking a bath. The smell of the maternity room was unpleasant. He had stayed inside all day. Being clean by nature, he could not stand it anymore. His first action after leaving was to bathe, not eat.
Minnie was bathing too. She was covered with blood and amniotic fluid. After a long day, sweat soaked her clothes. A bath was necessary.
Ah, so tired. My whole body aches. Relaxing, Minnie felt every part of her sore and weak. Though very hungry, she didn't want to move. She thought of just sleeping.
"Miss Minnie, Miss Minnie." Shuran's voice came from outside the door.
Minnie jolted awake. "What is it?"
"The young master invites Miss Minnie to dine together."
The food had been delivered to Sanruwi. To eat, they had to go there.
"I know. I will go soon." Minnie gathered her strength.
Sanruwi wore a loose white robe. His hair was still wet, hanging freely. He leaned in the armchair, eyes half-closed, lost in thought.
Though Minnie was used to Sanruwi's beauty, seeing him under the lamp made her a little distracted.
Sanruwi sensed her gaze and slowly opened his eyes. In the candlelight, his face looked softer, his eyes dreamy. He seemed gentler and more charming.
Such a handsome man, without any makeup! Minnie thought, speechless for a moment.
Their eyes met. The crackling of the candle flame filled the quiet room. The air felt gentle and tender.
"Young master, Madam Hong just sent ginseng chicken soup. She said you all worked hard today..." Shuran stopped speaking, feeling something was wrong.
Sanruwi and Minnie both looked away nervously. They felt awkward. Shuran noticed the young master's face had turned red. Minnie felt ashamed for staring too long. Would Sanruwi be angry this time?
But Sanruwi seemed in a good mood and did not get angry. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's eat."
At this, Minnie's forgotten hunger returned all at once. She rubbed her stomach and sat down.
The table was full of dishes. Minnie loved food and now her eyes shone. She planned to eat well. She picked up the ebony chopsticks with silver inlay but paused. The chopsticks felt so heavy.
Her arm went weak, and she nearly dropped them. She struggled to steady her hand. The plate in front was famous silverfish fried with egg. Minnie had eaten it at the Yu family and liked it a lot. Now she was not polite. I'll pick, I'll pick... but why won't the chopsticks listen? No, it's my hand that won't obey...
Finally, she managed to pick up some silverfish with egg. Just as she was about to put it in her bowl, it fell on the table with a "plop"!
"Ah!" Such a big piece of silverfish was wasted! Minnie stared at the piece on the table, very unwilling.
A piece of silverfish with egg appeared in her bowl, placed by Sanruwi.
He pulled back his chopsticks and said calmly, "Eat properly."
Minnie ate obediently, but the chopsticks still felt awkward, as if she was a child learning to use them.
Another "plop." Minnie shuddered in fear. Making one mistake was one thing, but twice? How could this be? She was careful to avoid dropping food, yet her hands trembled. She felt the muscles in her arms twitching.
"Sit closer."
Minnie was surprised. Shuran moved her bowl and chopsticks next to Sanruwi's, signaling her to sit by him.
Sanruwi picked food into her bowl and said, "Your arm is weak today. It may take days to recover. Don't strain yourself these days."
"Weak arm?" Minnie suddenly understood. After helping Sister Hong turn the fetus and massaging the uterus all day, no wonder her hands shook so badly. When she worked in obstetrics before, it was never this tiring. She never did heavy work. That is why she did not think about this and feared she might have Parkinson's.
During the meal, Sanruwi often picked dishes for Minnie. She ate with her head down, very full.
Shuran watched and thought the day they returned to the Bai family was near. The young master could have asked him to serve Miss Minnie, but he chose to do it himself. It seemed Miss Minnie held a heavy place in the young master's heart. If marriage talks came, her family's support would be needed. Shuran began to imagine a bright future.